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Medical Definition of Virus activation
1. The mechanism by which latent viruses, such as genetically transmitted tumour viruses or prophages of lysogenic bacteria, are induced to replicate and are released as infectious viruses. It may be effected by various endogenous and exogenous stimuli, including B-cell lipopolysaccharides, glucocorticoid hormones, halogenated pyrimidines, ionizing radiation, ultraviolet light, and superinfecting viruses. (12 Dec 1998)